4 Glowing shadow

[2 years later]

It's been two years in this world now. I can't believe it's already been this long. I still think about my past life everyday, although I've managed to cope quite well. My parents are such loving people. Their affection towards me manages to make me smile from time to time and they are honestly good at distracting me. Wether it's their stupid debates at the dinner table or them doing their daily chores.

My mother is quite good at cooking, and I enjoy being in the kitchen with her while I watch my father's sword training through the window. His swordsmanship is very impressive, I'm sure he's as strong as a C or even B Class back in my world.

Talking about training. In the last 2 years, I solely focused on absorbing mana. The system has been quiet since I died. I haven't seen any notifications pop up. It could be that the system was also sealed as long as my body is not ready yet. I hope it won't take too long for it to pop up again. I definitely need it for now. I need to use the system. I will use the system and try to create some new possibilities for me. The problem I faced was that every time I tried to gather mana, my black heart stole the mana intended for my mana core. I'm not sure wether I'll be able to form a mana core, but I think of might help me regain my old strength.

I need to keep collecting mana for now. I need to be patient.

[Alice's POV]

"Reyy! Don't forget to check on Art" I said. Arthur should be taking his afternoon nap.

"It's alright, don't worry, he's fast asleep" Rey spouted as he came outside of the house.

We were currently taking care of the garden. Rey and I always use the opportunity created by Art's nap to take care of chores that take a little more effort. Art has been such a curious fella. I noticed that he is quite interested in books lately, and his eyes… his eyes. Every time he gazes at something, it feels quite intense. It somehow feels like he is watching over us. Hmm, maybe I am just reading too much into it.

But I've made it my mission to make him smile, because him smiling, changes his entire presence. He just becomes the cutest existence ever.

*Bang, Big explosion SFX*

W-what was that?!!! As I turned around and looked at the house, an intense terror rushed through me…

"ART!"

"Arthur!!!! Reyyy!! Arthur!! He's inside" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

It all happened at an insane speed. I didn't realize what I was looking at at first. The spot where the house should be standing, was entirely covered by black smoke. No, that wasn't smoke! What was that? It's as if the entire house was cloaked in a thick shadow.

Rey reacted way faster than me. As I started to desperately run towards the darkness, Rey was already inside. I stood in the doorway, but I couldn't see anything.

A bright blue glow suddenly shone through the shadows. I feared the worst.

As we approached the blue glow, it suddenly faded, and so did the thick shadow enveloping the house. I slowly regained my sense of orientation and desperately scanned the house for Arthur.

"Arthur, where are you baby?" I called with a slight voice crack in between.

Suddenly, Rey called me. "Alice, you need to see this!"

I peeked through the entry to the study room, where Rey was already standing.

"W-what is going on?"

Art sat on the ground. His eyes were closed, and he sat there as if he was meditating. He looked alright, but what bugged me, was that his chest seemed to glow somehow. It was blue...the same blue that just shone so brightly.

"Art! Are you alright?" queried Rey.

The glow disappeared and as Arthur seemed to have regained his senses, he just eyed his parents puzzlingly.